maya
maya — noun
1. a member of the Indigenous peoples of southern Mexico and nearby parts of Centra
a member of the Indigenous peoples of southern Mexico and nearby parts of Central America, especially in Belize and Guatemala.
At the village museum, Mauricio spoke with a Maya guide about old farming tools.
a Maya + role noun
The history book explains how the Maya built large cities in the forest.
the Maya as a people
During the holiday, Saira bought cloth woven by Maya women from the highlands.
Our teacher showed us photos of Maya houses with steep roofs and stone walls.
- the Maya
- Maya people
- Maya communities
- Maya cities
- Mayan
more often appears as an adjective before nouns like culture, art, or language
Grammar Patterns
a Maya
the Maya
Usage Note
Usually written with a capital M. When English refers to the people as a whole, it often uses 'the Maya' rather than adding -s.
Common Mistakes
2. a language spoken by the Maya, often meaning either the older language seen in a
a language spoken by the Maya, often meaning either the older language seen in ancient writing or modern Yucatec Maya.
Piotr could recognize a few Maya words carved beside the temple door.
Maya words in old writing
The recording begins in Spanish and then shifts into Maya for the story.
switch into Maya as the spoken language
At the market, Min heard two elders speaking Maya near the fruit stall.
Our class compared a Maya sentence with its English translation on the screen.
- speak Maya
- Maya words
- Maya sentence
- write in Maya
- Yucatec Maya
more specific name when a modern variety is meant rather than the general label
- Mayan
usually broader and more technical, often referring to the language family instead of one language name
Grammar Patterns
speak Maya
write in Maya
Usage Note
Usually written with a capital M. In books, this label can point either to an older written language or to Yucatec Maya, so the exact language may need context.
Common Mistakes
Etymology
First known use
1788
1788, in the meaning defined above Noun (2)